Rajneesh meditation

Meditation based on the teachings of the Indian Shree Rajneesh (born Chaadra Mohan Jain), established in the early 1970s. Until 1989 he called himself Bhagwan (Hindi ‘God’). His followers, who number about 0.5 million worldwide, regard themselves as sannyasin, or Hindu ascetics; they wear orange robes and carry a string of prayer beads. They are not expected to observe any specific prohibitions but to be guided by their instincts.

Rajneesh initially set up an ashram, or religious community, in Poona, northwestern India. He gained many followers, both Indian and Western, but his teachings also created considerable opposition, and in 1981 the Bhagwan moved his ashram to Oregon, USA, calling himself ‘guru of the rich’. He was deported 1985 after pleading guilty to immigration fraud, and died 1990. He taught that there is a basic energy in the world, bio-energy, and that individuals can release this by dynamic meditation, which involves breathing exercises and explosive physical activity. His followers are encouraged to live in large groups, so that children may grow up in contact with a variety of people.